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Aside: Speaking our truth, telling our stories

Went to this Marrickville Council forum, a “friendly all-inclusive panel discussion on LGBTIQ initiatives and emerging issues”, MCed by social justice advocate and former broadcaster Julie McCrossin.

Everyone was invited to make recommendations for Marrickville Council’s assistance.

Some highlights:

Cristyn Davies, co-chair of Twenty 10:

There should be changes in Early Childhood settings so children can express their gender in different ways eg. wearing different clothes. There should be gender-neutral bathrooms.

Marrickville Council should offer internships, so young people who have difficulties finding a job (because of their appearance), can get work experience. They should be asked which gender pronouns they would like to be used in the workplace.

Sujay Kentlyn, of Outrageous Ageing:

“A lot of couples are terrified of going into residential age care, afraid of being treated badly and not respected. But things have changed, thanks to people like David Urquhart and Lex Watson.”

Some retirement villages have a “Rainbow Accreditation”, look for the Rainbow tick on their website.

– McCrossin said in her last days “I want the values of the Sacred Heart Hospice”.

Had a long list of recommendations, including that council publish a “Creative Spaces for Dummies” guide for local artists. Avila said it had cost about $200,000 to navigate council’s requirements to get the Rat up and running, which is a huge barrier for future artists thinking about opening a space.